Tuesday's letters: Medicare plans

Published: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, November 5, 2012 at 5:26 p.m.

To the editor: The letter in the Oct. 29 paper authored by a “geriatric care manager” in Asheville includes factually incorrect statements.

The official U.S. government website for Medicare information (www.medicare.gov) describes Medicare Advantage plans as “a type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide you with all your Part A and Part B benefits. Medicare Advantage Plans include Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Organizations, Private Fee-for-Service Plans, Special Needs Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare services are covered through the plan and aren’t paid for under Original Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage Plans offer prescription drug coverage.”

These plans compete with original Medicare only to the extent that they provide choices. Advantage plans offer more — not less — benefits than original Medicare at a significantly lower cost as well as the security of a maximum out-of-pocket limit. They include drug coverage and pay 100 percent of covered expenses from day one, eliminating the need to buy Medigap and prescription drug policies. Equally as important, the for-profit companies relieve taxpayers of the burden of health care costs in excess of the out-of-pocket limit.

Robert and Vivian

Armstrong

Hendersonville

How dare he?

To the editor: I just returned from viewing the new Ben Affleck film “Argo,” which depicted the unlikely and remarkable effort to rescue six American diplomats from Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis.

The six individuals, who had escaped from the U.S. Embassy prior to the hostage taking, were hidden for a time at the Canadian ambassador’s home before being rescued by CIA agent Tony Mendez, who got them out of Iran by having them pose as members of a film crew.

To be fair, I thoroughly enjoyed the film. What I take issue with was the final sound bite that ran during the credits that featured former President Jimmy Carter relating how “we” eventually secured the release of the remaining hostages.

With all due respect, Mr. Carter had nothing to do with their release. It was President Ronald Reagan who secured the release of the remaining hostages after their 444 days of captivity. How dare Carter take the credit? It’s shameful.

Joseph Perrone Jr.

Hendersonville

The little things

To the editor: Don’t let anyone fool you — it’s the little things in this world that truly matter.

Thinking on the little things takes me back to being a much younger girl, being taught lessons and values at home first, and in kindergarten. Lessons like sharing is caring, and being taught when to use the words “please” and “thank you.”

As we get older, we learn new lessons, but some forget that the first ones are the foundation to build upon.

Some 20 years later, “please” and “thank you” are still magic words, and my smile has always and will continue to get me farther than a frown.

<p>To the editor: The letter in the Oct. 29 paper authored by a geriatric care manager in Asheville includes factually incorrect statements.</p><p>The official U.S. government website for Medicare information (www.medicare.gov) describes Medicare Advantage plans as a type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide you with all your Part A and Part B benefits. Medicare Advantage Plans include Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Organizations, Private Fee-for-Service Plans, Special Needs Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare services are covered through the plan and aren’t paid for under Original Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage Plans offer prescription drug coverage.</p><p>These plans compete with original Medicare only to the extent that they provide choices. Advantage plans offer more  not less  benefits than original Medicare at a significantly lower cost as well as the security of a maximum out-of-pocket limit. They include drug coverage and pay 100 percent of covered expenses from day one, eliminating the need to buy Medigap and prescription drug policies. Equally as important, the for-profit companies relieve taxpayers of the burden of health care costs in excess of the out-of-pocket limit.</p><p><em>Robert and Vivian</em></p><p><em>Armstrong</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>How dare he?</h3>
<p>To the editor: I just returned from viewing the new Ben Affleck film Argo, which depicted the unlikely and remarkable effort to rescue six American diplomats from Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis.</p><p>The six individuals, who had escaped from the U.S. Embassy prior to the hostage taking, were hidden for a time at the Canadian ambassador’s home before being rescued by CIA agent Tony Mendez, who got them out of Iran by having them pose as members of a film crew.</p><p>To be fair, I thoroughly enjoyed the film. What I take issue with was the final sound bite that ran during the credits that featured former President Jimmy Carter relating how we eventually secured the release of the remaining hostages.</p><p>With all due respect, Mr. Carter had nothing to do with their release. It was President Ronald Reagan who secured the release of the remaining hostages after their 444 days of captivity. How dare Carter take the credit? It’s shameful.</p><p><em>Joseph Perrone Jr.</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>The little things</h3>
<p>To the editor: Don’t let anyone fool you  it’s the little things in this world that truly matter.</p><p>Thinking on the little things takes me back to being a much younger girl, being taught lessons and values at home first, and in kindergarten. Lessons like sharing is caring, and being taught when to use the words please and thank you.</p><p>As we get older, we learn new lessons, but some forget that the first ones are the foundation to build upon.</p><p>Some 20 years later, please and thank you are still magic words, and my smile has always and will continue to get me farther than a frown.</p><p><em>Elizabeth Gilbeaux</em></p><p><em>Arden</em></p>